Letters From Our Readers - What Works for Me 12-06-06

I was thrilled to see the recent article about Dr. Derek Enlander. [“Derek Enlander, MD: Update on the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.”] I am on his protocol and have been for several years now. I was in a wheelchair most of the time when I went out, and within three months I had put away the wheelchair and entertained (did all the cooking) for about 30 guests in my home. Of course, my illness is not cured and when I overdo things (which we tend to do when we have good days), then I have to take some time to recuperate.

However, my pain level has been so greatly reduced that I have been able to get off the bed in the back of our van…and ride in the front seat with my husband again! …I fail to understand why Dr. Enlander's protocol hasn't been more widely advocated by the FM and CFS doctors who are learning about it… It isn't a miracle, but it has made the quality of my life and many others' so much better than the years before we began this treatment under Dr. Enlander. He is certainly a caring, compassionate doctor and I will always be grateful to him. – Elna

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Benefits of Acupuncture

Thank you so much for your efforts in putting out a positive and informative newsletter. As I am fairly new to your newsletter, I have not seen much on the benefits of acupuncture for Fibromyalgia. [Search on “acupuncture” in the ImmuneSupport.com archive.] I have had tremendous results from my treatments, but as with any other therapy, the practitioner is critical. I have been blessed by my acupuncturist and his “aggressively positive” attitude, even when I have been hunched over and nearly unable to move. I'm now working nearly full time between his efforts and the medications and vitamins I use. Information is power, and I for one, really appreciate your efforts. – Kathryn

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Setting Priorities; Banking Energy

First thing is to prioritize; make getting healthy your full-time job. Take control. Read everything you can find in the hopes that some of it will help, but realize that you have to figure out for yourself what works for you. Every body is different, with different symptoms and different needs.

Bank your energy. Each morning, figure out how much energy you have and what you could do with it, then do only half of that and bank the other half of your energy. It takes energy to heal, and if you spend it all, you won't have any left for healing. Rest as much as possible; if you are doing anything else (talking, knitting, anything) you are not resting!

Eliminate toxins from your food, water, air, and skin care. Supplement your diet with vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Once more, you have to let your body tell you what it needs. You must listen carefully; it will tell you.

When you are able, get gentle exercise such as yoga, walking, or tai chi. Do this little by little; treat yourself gently. If it hurts, don't do it, but try again later. Push the envelope, but only gently.

Eliminate stress as much as possible. Find supportive, not toxic, people to be around. Lower your standards and expectations as to what needs to be done. It won't kill you not to have a floor clean enough to eat off of. How often do you eat off your floor anyway? Prioritize your energy, delegate tasks if someone else can do them, don't do what doesn't need doing. Save your energy for healing, rest when you need to. – Wellkid

Thanks to Rich Carson for telling his heartwarming story “On the Road to Recovery.” If it hadn't been for reading that, I wouldn't have been inspired to tell our daughter's story [as one of the first Lyme patients to start and stick to the Marshall Protocol]. more

Note: This protocol is still experimental, demanding, and quite controversial. Our message board participants and readers give it very mixed reviews – from recommendations to warnings. See for example the message string titled “The Marshall Protocol??” at http://www.fibromyalgiasupport.com/chat/forums/message.cfm?id=995110&B=FM#995110 As a formality you will have to log in, and if you are not yet registered, simply provide a password.